§ 66 and 67. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that the London and North Western Railway Company run only nine workmen's trains into Euston Station and six out, under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883; whether he is aware that the chief statistical officer of the London County Council showed, in a return made for the council dated 13th November, 1905, that the company had benefited to the extent of £2,713,435 by the remission of Passenger Duty, under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883; if he is aware that the amount now is more than £3,000,000; and if he intends calling upon the company to run more cheap workmen's trains both in and out of Euston Station before and up till 8 a.m. under the Act; and (2) if he is aware that the Midland Railway Company run only five workmen's trains under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883, into St. Pancras Station and none out; whether he is aware that the chief statistical officer of the London County Council showed, in a return made for the council, dated 13th November, 1905, that the Midland Railway Company had benefited to the extent of £1,348,528 by the remission of Passenger Duty under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883; if he is aware that the amount now is about £2,000,000; and if he intends calling upon the company to run more cheap workmen's trains into St. Pancras before and up till 8 a.m. under the Act?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Robertson)I am aware that estimates of the nature indicated by my hon. Friend have been made of the benefits received by the London and North Western and Midland Railway Companies through the remission of Passenger Duty under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883. As my hon. Friend is doubtless aware the obligation under that Act to run cheap trains for workmen is not limited to the Metropolitan area. If any specific complaint is made of the inadequacy of the service to Euston and St. Pancras, the matter will be carefully investigated, but I may remind my hon. Friend that workmen's trains are also run from stations on both the companies' lines to stations in London other than those mentioned.
§ Mr. W. THORNEMay I ask whether he thinks, in view of this great concession 923 to the Midland Railway Company that only running five workmen's trains out of St. Pancras is sufficient?